Key Points:Encourage the players to use moves and fakes, change of pace and to protect the puck.

Description:This game has the players line up at the end of the rink in the A2 formation. Each player has apuck. One player (who is 'it') is at the blue line and calls out 'British Puck-dog.' The players stickhandlethe puck, trying to get to the end without being checked. If a player loses the puck, shebecomes 'it' and is in the middle checking. The last player with a puck wins.

Key Points:Practice the breakout, neutral zone entry, attack, forecheck and power play set up. The penalty killers practice the forecheck, and defensive zone coverage. It is great if you can get another team to practice with you and take turns with 5 min. power plays each in all situations and have a few minutes between each situation to review your systems with the players.

Description:Divide into two teams with the extra players on the bench. If possible have someone run the score clock to make it game like.

Key Points:Play 1-2, 1-3, 2-3 to work on both offensive and defensive out number situations.Stess good habits and moving the puck to a player in better position.The coach can also implement modified rules to create situation. i.e. goals must come from one timers.

I had few moments to sketch our last night ice practice to electronic format so that I would have something to share here since I mostly only use your good ideas. Puck handling warm-up 15', passing and shooting 10' and 2-1/3-1 game situation with some read-and-react 15'. Plus 4-4 game and some bag (?) skating for ending. Hope there are some ideas there, nothing very new, just drills with some new twists (I mean new twists for our players).

Key Points:This is a breakout vs forechecking pressure contest. Keep score and the coach can focus on any one of the 4 game playing roles.

Description:1. Coach shoot a puck in.2. Red #1 and #2 try to breakout of zone.3. Purple #1 and #2 forecheck and try to score.4. On a goal or when the puck is carried over the bluleline repeat.5. Now Purple 1 and 2 break out vs Red 3 and 4.6. If the puck is shot out the coach puts in another puck.

Key Points:All 4 Game playing roles are practiced. Have rules like, only forehand passes, only backhand, an escape move before passing, 3 hard strides, one touch, 2 " only, all skate backward, hold the stick with only one hand, saucer passes. 5 or 7 passes = 1 point.

Description:1. Groups have an area of the rink or else one group at at time has so many seconds to make as many passes as possible.2.Good activity to warm up with if the goalies are working with a coach.3. Use rules that include skating, passing skills, puck handling skills such as pivots.4. Keep score and switch opponents. I point for every 5-7 passes.

Key Points:This game allows the coach to focus on the attack or defending deep in the zone. You can play this game in situations from 1-1 to 5-5. It is a great rotation to practice specialty teams if you have 3 lines because it gives the players some rest and they alternate between pp and pk (one F would leave the zone) The defenders have to clear the zone with control of the puck. With situations over a 3 on 3 I would move the resting players back to the far blue line.

Description:1. Players line up within a stick length of the red line if you have 2 groups or only ½ ice; otherwise behind the red or far blue line.2. Three players attack three defenders.3. Defenders must carry the puck out of the zone before passing to team waiting team mates.4. Three new players attack vs the original offensive players. 5. Keep score, implement skill (only forehand passes) or team play rules (goals originate from below the goal line).

Key Points:Great game that I learned from Art Krusel 'RIP'to practice cycling, going to the net, screening, tipping, point shots, shot pass, one timers on offense. On defense you have the low zone coverage and communication skills. As well as individual techniques like sealing the stick to the outside, tying up sticks, boxing out, switching, all from the defensive side.

Description:1. One team is lined up behind each faceoff dot. From one to tree players leave at a time.2. The next player in line plays the joker at the point and must pass or shoot within a second. Defenders do not check the joker as he can’t go in and score.3. The coach dumps the puck in or shoots on net and the teams race for the puck. Whoever gets the puck can shoot right away.4. When the defending team gets the puck they must pass to their joker at the point to transition to offense.5. If the puck is shot out of the zone the coach passes to the non offending joker.6. Play 20-30” and on the whistle the players pass to the coach and skate hard out of the zone before the coach shoots a new puck in.

Key Points:Players skate according to their position in the defensive zone. You should skate as if there is an attacker in front of the net and three attackers cycling on the strong side with the middle forward covering the front of the net.

Description:1. Players start off with a box and one in the middle.2. Coach points to where the puck is and the players hustle to the proper defensive position.3. Sticks in the passing lanes and a man-you-puck triangle for role 4.4. Skate to 5 spots.5. Straight line stop and start skating.

Key Points:Start by practicing point shots and screens then move to one timers and the shot pass. Add a low cycle and change sides. Progress into a diamond. Practice one timers from off wing and shot passes on the proper wing.

Description:

A. Point Shots and Screen

1. 1 Bounce pass the puck to the point.2. 1 screen and 2 drag and shoot.3. 1 rotate to the point and 2 to the other corner.4. Repeat with 3 pass and screen and 4 shoot. You can add a D to D one timer.

B. Create Options, One Timer, Shot Pass, Rotate into a 1-3-1 Diamond

1. #1 shoot and go to diagonal dot # 4 the same2. Point now fake a shot and pass across for a one timer or a shot pass.3. Progress to a low cycle and point pass where cycles attacking the seam and passing low then head to the net and #5 passes to the point.4. We will add the weak side D into mid slot to move into a 1-3-1 diamond.

Key Points:Attack 5 on 2 but 3 coaches are in the neutral zone lanes to mimic the nzone trap. Get the puck deep behind the defenders. Play 5-2 in the zone.

Description:1. C pass back to middle D.2. F1 Stretch, F2 low middle support, F3 and D2 in wide lanes, D1 in middle.3. Hinge wide and back to the middle.4. Pass wide and make a wide entry.5. Attack with 4 players in the scoring zone.6. Repeat in the other direction.

Key Points:Breakout 5 vs 2 defenseman and then regroup on the whistle 5 on 3. Give support on the strong side boards and the middle. Weak side forward can stretch. Attack with 4 in the scoring area. Weak side D jump into the rush.

Description:A.1. D1 and D2 shoot from the blueline.2. Five players in the zone breakout vs D1-D2

B.3. Attack 5 on 2 until a scoring chance.

C.4. Coach whistle and attackers regroup with pass from the coach in the neutral zone.5. Attack again 5 on 3 vs. original D and a new forward.6. Repeat with a new group and original D the other direction.

Key Points:In the big horseshoe players give a target and call for the pass. Time the first pass so you are ready to pass to the player on the boards. Coaches have some pucks to give players if a pass fails. Follow the shot for rebounds. Do about 1.5-2 minutes on each side.

Description:1. #1 leave for a pass from the other corner.2. #2 in each corner skate inside for a pass from #3.3. #2's skate and pass to #1 on the wall.4. #1 attack the net, shoot and rebound.5. #2's now skate in an arc saving ice and timing to get a pass from #3.6. Repeat this flow.

Key Points:Shoot while skating. Hit the net. First player look for rebounds from second shooter. This is a good warm up for the start of practice.

Description:a. #1 leave with a puck and shoot from the wide lane.b. #2 also leave with a puck and give and go with a coach at the far blue line. Shoot from the middle lane.c. Switch corners after1.5-2 minutes.

*Alternative is for #1 to give and go with the first player in the far corner.

Key Points:Quick feet. Make the cross and drop then head to the net for a rebound. Shooter must hit the net. If no shot go five hole or shoot low to the far side to produce a rebound.

Description:1. Coach pass to the F1 on the inside.2. F1 pass to F2 who crosses the blue line and and makes a drop pass to F1.3. F1 skate to the top of the circle and shoot.4. F2 go to the net for a rebound.5. Change sides.

Non game day practice. Warm up with full ice flow drills and then work on team play, the forecheck, nzone regroups, the power play, breakout and pk. After practice the players stay on and work on individual skills.

Description:1. F1 and F2 leave and regroup with D1.2. D1 pass to D2 who hinges to the wide lane then pass back to D1.3. F1 and F2 delay to stay onside while D1 crosses the blue line with the puck.4. D2 support the attack from the mid point.5. D1 pass or take a shot.

Key Points:Pass hard, give a target, call for the pass and fill all three lanes. Leave in groups of 3 or 4. Make sure everyone gets at least one pass in each direction.

Description:1. Three or four leave from one end.2. Skate to the big ice and pass.3. Cross the far blue line and turn back.4. Attack with a triangle or box.5. Three or four at the other end leave when the oringinal players regroup.

Alternative is to pass and regroup with a player at the other end to practice a deep breakout.

Key Points:Give support and the strong side boards, middle and weak side wall. F1 pressure the puck, F2 take away pass to strong side wing F3 read the play from middle and react. D2 covers the high slot attacker.

Description:1. Forwards regroup with the D in the neurtal zone.2. All five attack vs. two D and one F.3. After original attack the coach whistles and places a puck inside the far blue line.4. D goes back for the new puck and start another rush versus the two original D.5. Next group start the same sequence in the other direction.

Description:1. Players start from the neutral zone.2. Do some reps starting with the C dumping the puck in and forecheck.3. Switch to the C pass to the W who gains the zone and then pass back to the point.4. The coach can focus on any part of the attack or defense.5. Alternate ends and the resting group switch from offense to defense for the next rep.6. A progression into a game is for the defensive team to break out into the nzone and all touch the red line then attack the original offensive group.

I have added the forwards setting up in an I when the puck first goes to the point. I see this in the NHL with a lot of teams. The second forward goes to the side of the first pass, so the D doesn't have to come out unless the puck gets to the player on the other side. The middle forward drops down but doesn't chase sideways.This practice formation can be used for all team play teaching situations. If you haven't enough players to do it out of both ends then you simply rotate in one end.----------------------------------------------------------------------

T2-4 D400 PK and PP Rotation Detroit - Pro

Key Points:PK outnumber the PP on loose pucks in the corner. PK skate in straight lines. Always one pk denying the mid point and one in front. PP change the point of attack when outnumbered. Rotate the mid point player to the middle or the back door.

Description:1. Start with everyone in position on the pp and pk.2. If pk gets the puck start the pplay again from a different spot.3. On the pplay either the puck or the player moves.4. PK always lead with the stick on the puck and in passing lanes.5. PP always give at least two easy outlets.6. PP give low support when puck on half wall.7. PK cut the ice in half and force passes that must beat two defenders.8. Work at each end 30-60" rotate on whistle.

Key Points:Forwards support from three lanes. Strong side forward on boards face the puck. Middle forward mirror puck movement and wide forwards be open for a cross ice pass. Give targets. Defenders try to steer the puck wide and outnumber the attack in the neutral zone.

Description:1. Coach pass the puck to a defenseman.2. Defense pass to D partner or any of the forwards.3. On a D to D they should hinge to pass below the trap.4. Offense gain the zone.5. On the whistle repeat with the original defenders now on offense vs original attackers.6. After one or two reps new players repeat.

Key Points:Face the puck. Forwards attack with speed. D stay in the middle and deny F to F pass. Forwards make the first play near the offensive blue line to force the D to make a decision. D delay the play as much as possible.

Description:1. F1 and F2 attack vs D1.2. F3 and F4 support D1 as far as the hash marks.3. D2 support F1 and F2 passively from the point.4. D1 make a breakout pass to F3 or F4.5. F3-F4 attack D2 in the other direction.6. F5 and F6 support D2 and D3 support F3 and F4.7. Continue this flow.8. Add a D to make it a 2 on 2.

Options. There could be active support with a 2-1 in the nzone and a 3-3 at each end. Another option is to combine active and passive support or add dump ins and regroups.

Key Points:Make hard passes. Give a target and skate into the pass.Rebound by following your shot.

Description:A. The first player #1 cut across the ice for a pass from the opposite corner. After passing #2 cut across for a pass.B. 1. First players #1and #2 skate parallel and pass as many times as possible before shooting from above the circles.2. The first player #1 cut across the ice and make a drop pass to #2. #2 skate and pass across to #1 and follow the pass by crossing behind for another drop pass. Cotinue this and shoot before the top of the circles and rebound.

This is a drill from my morning skills practice. The goalie coach wanted long shots and only one goalie was at practice. We did these three shooting passing drills. 1. Get a pass from the opposite corner and take a long shot. 2. Exchange pucks skating down the ice and shoot. 3. Cross, drop, pass across and shoot.